Assault on the Carolinas???

[profàvélo]

So, Bouncy, how did it go? I never saw a pink bike...we got there without much time to spare, as usual. But I thought it went really well! I thought the route was good. No wet stuff on the roads anywhere. The only negative was the freezing cold on the descents. What did you think of the climbing? I felt pretty good on Caesar's Head. I have to say--sorry guys, if you are reading--passing guys on a climb is lots of fun! To be fair, I got passed a few times on CH as well, but it was nice to be a passER for a change and not just a passEE.

[bouncybouncy]

well, got there a bit early (did not know how long it would take to drive...only 30 minutes) suited up for the 4th time (NO CLUE what to wear!!!) ended up with the perfect combo of long sleeve jersey/illuminite jacket/shorts/gore leg warmers/woolie-boolies/feet warmers/shoe covers/amfib gloves/oh...and a beenie.
and off we were...as i rode i was checking out everyones bum...actually just looking for an Aloha saddle...never found one

hubby and i started with the crowd...he kept up and i slacked off a bit (still not comfy in big groups) but as soon as it thined out i pedaled on!!! hit every hill with avengence and never had to get off for a newbie hill-climber i felt i was flying on CH...one guy passed me and i was just not about that, so i passed him back...hehe! passed a few others (and some who looked like they should have been up and gone by then ) stopped for a snack at the top and moved on...i am a wuss on decents!!!! barely could keep it above 20 without freaking out...on the smoother areas i did get to 27mph but that was it...on the short decents where you could see the next up i hit 32...i need to work on speed!!! (my levers are not comfy tho...too far away!)

i finished total 5 hours 30 min...bike time 5 hours 19 min

not ever riding in the mountains i am not sure how that rates...hubby finished 30 minutes ahead of me so i felt pretty good he was not HOURS ahead...

[Veronica]

Sounds like you had a grand time!

V.

[profàvélo]

Sounds like you had a good ride. Great job on Caesar's Head, by the way--that is one tough climb. It's just so long! (six miles, for anybody out there reading) Did you notice the sign that says "4 miles to CH State Park"? I hate that sign! Like you, I'm not crazy about the descents, but that will get easier over time, like everything else. My DH decided to ride with me--not sure why--but I almost wish that he wouldn't, because he's constantly looking back at me, like, "Are you coming?" He didn't mean it that way--he was just looking for me, he said--but that's what it felt like. Anyway, he would wait for me at the tops of the climbs. We got into several different pacelines over the course of the day, so that helped speed the flatter parts along. We were in a group of about a dozen on the last little bit, between CH and the finish, and it felt like we were flying (a lot of that was gently downhill, remember?). The big timer at the school said 4h22m when we pulled in. My only complaint is that I wish lunch had been better. Otherwise, all the support was great, especially all the help with traffic. I couldn't believe how many turns had law enforcement there to help us.

You are all set for the Fabulous Fourth ride out of Tryon, NC on July 4--you should put that on your calendar. It's a fun ride, also a metric century, and it has plenty of climbing, but I don't think it's as hard as the Assault was. It can be hot, but that actually sounds good right now. I need to buy warmer gloves...

[Blueberry]

So glad to hear your ride went well and Asheville is agreeing with you! I'd love to tackle some rides out that way (we're only about 3.5 hours from Asheville, and it's one of my favorite places to visit), but I'm the original hill slug (think either 3 mph or walking). Maybe in a year or two...

Carrie Anne

[bouncybouncy]

thanks carrie anne...yes asheville is agreeing well!!! now if we could stop getting these morning cold snaps i can get motivated to start commuting...mapped out a course just can't quite seem to get out the door with enough warm clothes to ride in the early a.m.

now i am gearing up for the 3 state-3 mountain...hopefully i will be in town and in shape!!! after hearing profavelo's time i am feeling a bit slow...will just have to power it up a bit...and prof-i understand not seeing a pink bike, it is small...altho i saw one other one-a hot pink independent...i did see another blue specialized and kept wanting to say something but her helmet was red.

here is a pic before the ride...

[profàvélo]

Great picture! And you aren't slow--good grief, you did great! Just keep riding in the mountains, you'll get faster. I'm impressed that you're doing the 3-State/3-Mountain. Good luck with the training! We should have some consistently warmer weather soon.

In fact, if you want to come down to Tigerville, SC, and ride Caesar's Head again, there is a FREE training ride on Sat., April 8 that leaves from North Greenville College. Here is all the info. Maybe I will see you there!

[bouncybouncy]

TRAINING???? you mean you gotta train for this thing...oh my what have i gotten into???

well, yeah, we plan on stepping it up a bit but everytime i get excited about getting into some sort of schedule (or the likeness of one) a glich is formed...i checked out that site and it looks great! i would love to join and will put it on the calender but the weekend of the 8th i will hopefully be in missouri at a mtbike festival with my bros!!! or in holland on a cruise if my bosses get that worked out (yeah, yeah, yeah...rough job!!!!)

anywho...thanks for the link and hopefully see you on the later ride

[Blueberry]

Very Cool picture

I know what you mean about cold mornings - we're no where near as cold as you guys are, but morning rides haven't been happening around here. I'm an official wimp

By the way, do you have the Favorite Rides of the Blue Ridge Bike Club book? It has some cool ideas about rides (we used it when we were on vacation last year) - except, I discovered, flat doesn't really mean flat. Are there any rides up there that don't involve massive amounts of climbing??